I. The first movement in the path which leads to our justification and supernatural life and salvation is simply and entirely from God. Even the consciousness of our misery and the oppressive effects of our sins will not lead us to take the first step of calling upon God for relief. The first actual step is God's call to us and a motion impressed on us. We cannot merit this by any natural actions of our own, however good they may be. We cannot repent of our sins, begin to resist temptation, or change the tenor of our lives on our own initiative. Still less can we apprehend God, appreciate Him, desire and love Him, but by the grace of God calling us to do these things. We cannot call upon His name until He has suggested the idea and moved us to accept it. Even the first conscious motion of the soul towards God is not of ourselves but inspired by Him. "No man can come to Me unless it be given him by My Father" (John vi. 66). "What hast thou that thou hast not received? And if thou hast received, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received?" (1 Cor. iv. 7). Beware lest you take credit to yourself for having approached to God in the first instance, or for any subsequent fidelity. Remember also that those who approach to the consideration of divine truths in a spirit of self-sufficiency, relying on their own attainments, and scorning to humble themselves and pray for guidance, will remain for ever in the obscurity of the natural order, and will never attain to God or His truths.
II. Before man attains to justification and the super natural life, there is, however, need for his action in listening to the first call of God and working in conjunction with Him. In every instance it is necessary to make straight the way of the Lord and prepare His paths. "They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and in His sight will sanctify their souls" (Eccli. ii. 20). St. Augustine tells us that though God begins His work in us without our co-operation, He will not finish it to our salvation unless we work with Him. God also says to us, as of old to the Jews: "Turn ye to Me and I will turn to you" (Zach. i. 3). The preparation which a man is called to make is sometimes the remote and indirect one of good works of natural morality performed in the state of infidelity or even of sin; but the more immediate preparation consists in listening to the voice of God and of conscience, admitting true principles and arguing them out fearlessly to their conclusions, resisting sin when tempted by its advantages or the example of others, believing God's words, trusting Him and desiring Him. Prepare your soul for new graces so as to be capable of receiving them, and be not as a man who tempteth God.
III. It is fitting and even necessary that, while God does so much towards our justification, some effort should be demanded of us by way of preparation.
1. Man s highest prerogative is his freedom. The exercise of it must be a chief element in the accomplishment of his great destiny.
2. Justification is more honourable to man when he has been a willing agent in it.
3. A thing is more valuable to men when it has cost them some effort to obtain it, and the risks have been great.
4. The demonstrated necessity of virtuous actions stimulates men to multiply them, with glory to God and benefit to the world.
5. All things must be in harmony with their environment. The new wine must be in new wine-skins. It would be a perturbation of essential order, and so an impossibility, for the great gifts of God, justification and sanctification, to find a place in a soul while it is out of harmony with them. It is the special duty of man during this life to accommodate himself to the divine environment. He has to work upwards to the higher level from the fallen condition inherited from his first parents. His continuance in the state of justification requires always a continuance of God s grace and of his own efforts. Always therefore "labour the more that by good works you may make sure your vocation and election"
(2 Pet. i. 10).
Read from the Original Book.
